NJ's gift card law could harm more than retailers

Although this has been in the news, people don't realize that almost all the states take gift card balances at some point. I have another post with state stats on this topic. Scroll down to find more information.

http://colloquy.com/blog/blog_view.asp?xd=9453

MetLife to pay $500 million in "Death Master" probe

Insurance companies have been using the Social Security Death Master File to determine when an annuitant died and they could stop paying the annuity. However, they were not using the very same database to determine when a policy holder died and a payment was due to the beneficiary.

Now that they are being forced to do that, do your part. Take a moment right now to update your beneficiary contact information. You may find that the named beneficiary is an ex-spouse or some other person that you really don't want to have a payday upon your death. You may also find the the named beneficiary has alredy died. So check not only the name, but also the address and telephone number that is listed. 

Of course it's also important that the beneficiary know about the policy and who it's through. Make a list of all your assets including if you have a safe deposit box, which bank it's through, the branch, the box number and where the keys are kept. The list is important because people may remember that there is a policy, but not who it's through.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47145409

New search site for unclaimed funds in Austrailia

A new search service called FindUnclaimedMoney.com.au provides a free search for members across all government databases in Austrailia. It shows where the money is held and provides all the forms and instructions for claiming it. 

I'm always wary of membership-based sites. But if you live in Austrailia and are contacted by a finder and can't find your money on your own, it may be worth it to join. 

http://www.wealthprofessional.com.au/article/weekly-wrap-people-and-products-128336.aspx

NY helps people find life insurance policies

New York's review of unpaid life insurance policy benefits resulted in finding more than $200 million dollars for beneficiaries.

Consumers can use an online tool at NYPolicyFinder.com to locate life insurance policies and annuities that have been lost or misplaced.

Be sure to read my comments at the end of the article for additional ways you can search for life insurance listings. This is just one example from my book. These are dozens more search tips.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-04-23/cuomo-says-website-to-aid-life-insurance-beneficiaries-get-funds

The Post Office has millions in unclaimed property

Grab a calculator and check out how much money the US Post office has found since 2007. It isn't a bailout, but this money can save many jobs. I notified my local post office of their missing money listings. It's still there. That was a couple years ago.
I wonder if these funds became unclaimed because they never got delivered. BTW, every branch of the government has missing money.

http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/FF-AR-12-003.pdf